BCABA Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield BCABA facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. In single-subject research, 'experimental control' is demonstrated when: → Behavior changes reliably correspond to changes in the independent variable
2. The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is PRIMARILY designed to teach which verbal operant first? → Manding
3. What is the primary purpose of using prompts in behavior-change procedures? → To elicit a correct response
4. The BACB requires behavior analysts to base practice on: → Scientific knowledge and empirically supported procedures
5. Confidentiality in ABA practice requires that client information: → Is protected from unauthorized disclosure unless legally required or consented to
6. Which procedure involves reinforcing a behavior that is incompatible with an undesired behavior? → Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behavior (DRI)
7. Which assessment approach uses structured interviews and rating scales completed by parents or caregivers to gather information about behavior? → Indirect assessment
8. Which of the following BEST exemplifies the least restrictive alternative principle in behavior analysis? → Trying positive reinforcement-based strategies before considering punishment procedures
9. A BCABA records the time between the presentation of an instruction and the beginning of the client's response. This is called: → Latency recording
10. Partial-interval recording tends to _______ the true occurrence of a behavior. → Overestimate
11. Which type of prompt involves the trainer physically guiding the learner through the correct response? → Physical prompt
12. The BACB Ethics Code applies to behavior analysts in which contexts? → All professional activities, including public statements and research
13. A rate measure is calculated by dividing the number of responses by: → The session length
14. The 'attention' condition in a functional analysis tests whether behavior is maintained by: → Social positive reinforcement (attention)
15. Parametric research in ABA examines: → How different values (intensities/quantities) of an independent variable affect behavior
16. When a BCABA identifies that a client's problem behavior is maintained by attention, the communication-based replacement behavior taught via FCT should: → Provide the same social attention the problem behavior was accessing
17. A scatter plot in ABA is used primarily to identify: → Temporal patterns of behavior
18. Treatment integrity (procedural fidelity) refers to: → The degree to which the independent variable is implemented as planned
19. A motivating operation (MO) affects verbal behavior by: → Altering the value of a reinforcer and the frequency of related mands
20. Reinforcer assessments differ from preference assessments in that reinforcer assessments: → Verify that a preferred stimulus actually increases behavior when used contingently
21. A changing criterion design is particularly well suited for: → Shaping behavior toward a terminal goal in graduated steps
22. Which measurement dimension is most appropriate for assessing on-task behavior that occurs continuously? → Duration
23. A BCABA should use FBA results to develop interventions that are: → Function-based and address the identified maintaining contingencies
24. Preference assessments are conducted to identify stimuli that may serve as: → Potential reinforcers
25. A BCABA working with a culturally diverse family must: → Incorporate the family's cultural values and practices into treatment planning
26. In ABA, the dependent variable is: → The behavior being measured and targeted for change
27. Which antecedent strategy reduces problem behavior maintained by access to a specific reinforcer by pre-session delivery of that reinforcer? → Manipulation of an abolishing operation (AO) to decrease the value of the reinforcer
28. Which type of verbal behavior describes writing a word when someone spells it aloud (letter by letter)? → Transcription
29. Which of the following best defines behavior in applied behavior analysis (ABA)? → Any observable and measurable action
30. Which term describes conditions that temporarily alter the effectiveness of a reinforcer and change the likelihood of related behavior? → Establishing operation (EO)